Driving control for axminster looms



1948- c. R. KRONOFF ET AL 2,455,502

DRIVING CONTROL FOR AXMINSTER LOOMS Original Filed May 1, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 37 52 85 76 89 I] l AV!- AL IZ I r n g lNVENTORS CLARENCE R. KRO/VOFF VICTOR E SEPAV/OH Z M'TM ATTORNEY Dec. 7, 1948. c. R. KRONOFF ET AL 2,455,502

DRIVING CONTROL FOR AXMINSTER LOOMS Original Filed May 1, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

1 Al QIQIQIQIQ 75 I N v E m T o R s CLARE/V05 1?. KRO/VGFF I1 VICTOR ff SEPAV/C'H Dec. 7, 1948.

Original Filed May 1, 1947 FIG-.3

c. R. KRONOFF ET- AL 2,455,502

DRIVING CONTROL FOR AXMINSTER LOOMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 no u 40 43 CTJIII ZZ INVENTORS GLA/?E/V0 R. KRO/VOFF VICTOR F. SEPAV/CH ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 7, 1948 DRIVING CONTROL FOB AXIHINSTER LOOMS Clarence R. Kronofl and Victor F. Sepavlch, Worcester, Mass., asslgnors to Crompton &

poration of Massachusetts Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, Mass., a cor- Original application my 1, 1941, Serial No. 745,350. Divided and this application January 24, 1948, Serial No. 4,098

9 Claims. (Cl. 1391) This is a division of our copending application Serial No, 745,350, filed May 1, 1947.

This invention relates to Axminster looms and it is the general object of the invention to improve the shipping and speed control mechanism shown in our copending application Ser. No. 689,405, filed August 9, 1946.

Axminster looms ordinarily operate with a weft laying needle located at one side of the loom and cooperating with a weft tension arm which in some instances is several feet from the shipper mechanism. Whenever the weft breaks it is customary for the weaver to rethread the weft from the stationary supply through the tension arm and then start the loom while holding the thread. This operation is inconvenient with the structure shown in the aforesaid application because of the distance between the shipper mechanism and the tension arm, particularly when applied to wide looms, and it is an important object 'of the present invention to provide means by which the shipper bar can be operated from a position near the weft tension arm.

In the aforesaid application provision is made for stopping the loom motor by any one of several stop motions on the loom, and when the loom stops the shipper bar remains in its running position. It may be that correction of the fault which causes stopping will involve momentary running of the loom, but this cannot be readily accomplished by the shipper mechanism shown in said application. It is another object of our present invention to provide means by which an additional endwise movement of the shipper bar in the direction in which it is ordinarily moved to start the loom will permit so-called jogging or inching. This additional movement is against the action of a spring which immediately returns the shipper handle to its normal running position when released by the weaver.

The aforesaid application sets forth a torque bar square in cross section for connecting the shipper bar to the variable resistances which control motor speed, but this bar is expensive and requires close fitting. It is another object of the present invention to simplify the construction of this bar so that it may be made more cheaply and not require accurate alignment with the axis of the shipper bar.

It is also desirable to protect the sweep arms of the resistance devices against excess motion when the shipper bar is turned rapidly to effect a change in motor speed. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a stop operating preferably in connection with the aforesaid 2 torque bar to limit angular movement thereof and thus protect the sweep arms.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, our invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein a convenient embodiment of our invention is set forth,

F 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of an Axminster loom having our invention applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the forward part of the loom showing the shipper mechanism in running position, parts, such as the needle motion, being omitted,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section on line 3-4 of Fig. 2,

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are vertical sections on lines 44, 5-4 and F-B, respectively, of Fig. 3,

Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical sections of the motor controlling resistances on lines 7-1 and 8-8, respectively, of Fig. 3,

Fig, 9 is a diagrammatic view showing a weft tension arm and the relation which it sustains to the stationary weft supply, the weft needle, and the fabric,

Fig, 10 is a front view of the shipper bar extending across the loom looking in the direction of arrow iii, Fig. 2, and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing electric circuits employed with the invention.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a loom frame I. supports warp beams l l supplying warp W which passes through harness frames 12. An electric warp stop motion D acts to open switch W8, Fig. 11, when a warp thread breaks. A lay it has a reed l4 through which the warp passes and by which the weft is beaten up after being laid by a weft needle ill, see Fig. 9. The overhead mechanism l8 includes a tube frame transporting chain i! to which are detachably connected a series of tube frames l8. A transfer arm I I is provided at each end of the loom for the purpose of disconnecting the tube frames one at a time from the chain I! and moving them down to tuft forming position. After the tufts have been formed in the fabric C the tube frame is raised a. short distance and the tufts are cut by means of front and back knives or pile cutters 20 and 2|, respectively. The tube frame is then returned to the chain and the latter is advanced to bring the next tube frame into transfer position by means of feed mechanism 22 which rocks a pullover shaft 23. All of these parts vibrate more or less during loom operation,

assume iii chain advancing mechanisms 2%, as well as other parts of the loom not specifically set forth herein. The loom operates whenever the motor runs, and the usual clutch is omitted.

The weft needle I5 is generally operated loya mechanism not shown located at one side of the loom and deriving its power from shaft 25. The weft system includes a tension arm lit for the weft or filling A drawn from a stationary weft package P.

The motor is controlled by a shipper her 35, see Fig. 10, the left end of which is guided in a slide bearing 36 secured to the loom irarne. The right end of bar is connected to a mechanism desisnated generally at 31, see Figs. 3 to 6, including a bearing 38 secured as at 89 to the loom frame. The bearing 38 has a bore dd in which is slidably mounted a short cylinder ll] threaded at 32 to a longer cylinder 43 the right end of which slides in bearing 44 of less diameter than here ill, see Fi 3.

Rotatable within the cylinder is a still smallor cylinder or sleeve 45 the left end of which projects beyond the cylinder 53 and a collart d secured thereto by a pin fill. The latter passes through a plug 48 within the sleeve 35 the left end of which is connected as indicated in Fig. ill to shipper bar 35. A key prevents angular movement of cylinder 33 with respect to the bearing 38 but allows it to slide longitudinally in bearing 44'.

The right end of cylinder it is lzeyed. as at 56 to a collar 52 in which is threaded an adjusting screw 53 which forces a spring 56 against a lock plunger 55. The plunger cooperates with a notched locked wheel 56 having a hollow halo 5? secured to sleeve 45 in any approved manner, as by welding.

A stationary housing 86 secured to switch box 8! contains resistances designated at RA and RF to control the armature and held coil, respectively, of the motor. A stub shaft 62 is rotatable on housing 66 and has secured thereto but insulated therefrom sweep arm 63 of unit RA, see Fig. 7, to engage a resistor element G l mounted on a disk made of insulating material and fixed to housing 6d. The lower part of element 64 is the variable resistance part thereof and is connected to wire 66. The upper part of element 63 is a conductor and is connected to wire 67. An arcuate conductor til on dish 65 en gages the tail (59 of arm 63 and is connected to wire 78.

In similar manner, unit RF has an am it operated by stub shaft 62 and a resistor element I2 inverted relatively to element 841. Wires iii. 74 and 15 lead from unit RF. A torque bar it to be described in detail hereinafter turns with sleeve 45 and is connected to stub shaft 632 to per= mit turning of sweep arms i535 and ii by angular movement of shipper bar 35.

With both arms 63 and ii in their lower right hand positions all the armature resistance between wires 66 and iii is cut out, and all the field resistance between wires it and it is out in. Ull

dil

der these conditions the motor runs at a maximum speed. As the arms turn in a clockwise direction, Figs. 7 and 8, due to a similar motion of the shipper bar 35, the resistance between wires 68 and I6 increases to reduce armature current. but the field resistance remains unchanged. When the arms reach the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8 maximum armature resistance is effective as well as maximum field resistance, and the motor runs at a reduced or intermediate speed. Further clockwise turning of the arms leaves the armature resistance unchanged, but there will be a reduction in the field resistance with further reduction in the motor speed. When the arms reach their entreme upper right position all the armature resistance will he in and all of the field resistance will be out, and the motor will be running at its slowest speed.

The hearing 33 has threaded thereinto a screw to which holds a spring 8i against a ball lock 82. The letter can enter one or the other of two lock notches 83 and 86' in cylinder to hold the latter and sleeve 65 yieldingly locked in either the lull line or dotted line position of Fig. 3.

A limit St is pivoted as at $5, Figs. 3' and 4, to

link is to the left, full lines Fig. 3, but will be closed when the link is in the right hand position indicated in dotted lines.

The lower left hand parts of Figs. 1 and 2 show a cabinet or box 9t which contains the electric devices for changing the speed of the motor when the shipper bar it is moved angulariy. These devices of themselves form no part of our present invention, but are under control of the resistances RA and RF. A cable iii runs from the cabinet to the motor M and will ordinarily contain wires leading to the motor armature and its field coil. A second cable 92 leads from cabinet and has wires 93 and 9 3 leading to the switch'iid, and also the wires connected to the resistances RA and RF. Stop motion switches WS and F8 are in series with wires lit and 95 and are normally closed to permit completion of the motor circuit when switch 89 is closed. If either stop motion switch opens the motor stops with the shipper bar remaining in its angular position.

When it is desired to stop the loom the shipper her 35 will be moved to the left to return the parts on hearing 38 to the full line position shown in Fig. 3 the efiect of which will be to open switch 89 to stop the motor. This movement of the shipper bar to the left does not disturb the setting-oi the resistances RA and RF, since these settings are held by the lock wheel 56, and the loom can therefore be restarted at its former speed.

Except for certain changes which will be pointed out hereinafter, such as cylinder M, the matter thus far descrihed may be substantially the same as that set forth in our aforesaid pending application.

Our present invention relates to an auxiliary handle by which the shipper bar may be movedwhen the weaver is near the weft tension arm 29, a jogging switch to cause running of the motor when the loom has been stopped by a stop motion switch, improvements relative to the previously mentioned bar 86, and a stop to protect the sweep arms 53 and ii of the resistances.

In carrying the first feature of the invention into efiect we provide a rod itli pivoted as at it! to the collar 52 and provide the right end of it as viewed in Fig. 3 with a handle I02. This handle may be guided in a housing I03 secured to or at least fixed with respect to the bearing 30 and switch box 6|. length that the handle I02 will be readily accessible to the weaver when he is standing in front of the weft tension arm 20 and holding a weft thread incident to repair of a weft break. Since collar 52 is keyed to the cylinder 43 and the latter in turn is keyed at 50 to the bearing 36, an endwise pull to the right, Fig. 3, on handle I02 will not change the angular setting of the sweep arms and the weaver can resume weaving after having mended the broken weft thread without a change in motor speed. Handle I02 is not connected The rod I is made of such directly to the shipper bar 35 or sleeve 45, and

therefore does not interfere with their turning.

The second feature of the invention includes an electric switch I05 having an arm I06 positioned for engagement with collar 52. Ordinarily, arm I05 will not be engaged by collar 52 when the loom is running, but if for any reason the loom should be stopped by one or another of its stop motions there will be an electric break in the connections between wires 95 and 96, Fig. 11, by opening of one or another of the stop switches. This stopping of the loom will occur with the shipper bar in its right hand position, where it will remain with lock ball 62 in pocket 83. If the weaver desires to jog or inch the loom incident to repair of a thread breakage he will give the shipper bar an additional movement to the right as viewed in Fig. 3, thereby closing switch I05. It will be apparent from Fig. 11 that this results in electric connection of wires 95 and 96 which will cause the motor to run. Obviously, pulling on handle I02 will have the same effect.

It is desirable that the shipper bar 35 return to its normal running position after a jogging operation, and we insure this result by means of a compression spring I I0 surrounding a small sleeve III on cylinder 43. The left end of this spring as viewed in Fig. 3 will. normally bear against the cylinder 4I, while its right end bears against a flange I I2 on sleeve I I I to move the latter against a shoulder II3 on cylinder 43. When the shipper bar is in normal running position the flange II2 will be close to or in contact with a wall II4 between the bores 40 and 44 formed on the bearing 88. There is a slight space between the left end of sleeve III and cylinder 4I permitting a small amount of endwise movement of cylinder 43 and therefore collar 52 to the right of normal driving position. Such movement places the spring IIO under compression, and as soon as the weaver releases the shipper bar the spring expands to move the cylinder 43 to the left by a force transmitted through collar 46, thereby moving the collar 52 away from arm I06 to permit switch I05 to return to its normal open position.

The third feature of the invention relates more particularly to the bar 16 which is preferably of rectangular cross section so that it may possess some flexibility. As shown in Fig. 4, the lock wheel 55 has secured thereto a fitting II5 formed with a bore or opening II6 across which extends a holding plate I I! held in place by set screws I I6 tapped into lock wheel 55. Plate III has horizontal slots I I! for screws I I8 to permit horizontal adjustment of the plate I I1. Plate II! also has,

The right end of the bar I5 has formed therewith a cylindrical hub I2I secured to the previously mentioned stub shaft 52 by a set screw I22. A flange I23 on the hub is located between a plate I24 and a small hollow stand I25 supporting it and fastened to the housing 60. Flange I23 prevents substantial endwise movement of bar I6, but fits loosely between the plate and stand I25.

By reason of the adjustment of plateII'I and slot I20, bar I6 need not be set as accurately as is necessary In the arrangement shown in the aforesaid application, and it is not necessary that the axis of stub shaft 62 coincide with the axis of sleeve 45.

In the fourth feature of the invention a stop, lug I2'I, see Fig. 4, is formed integral with the fitting H5, and the collar 52 is formed with a stop boss I25. When the shipper bar is turned the stop lug I21 will turn with it but will engage the boss I28 before the sweep arms 63 and 'II of the resistance units come to the ends of their respective resistance elements. These sweep arms are therefore protected and will not be damaged even though the shipper bar be rotated abruptly.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have provided a convenient auxiliary handle for the shipper bar accessible from a position adjacent to the weft arm 26 and connected to the shipper bar in such manner as not to cause angular movement of the resistance sweep arms when rod I00 is pulled. This condition istrue whether the handle I02 be pulled for the purpose of starting the loom, or for jogging. When the loom motor is jogged either by the shipper bar or handle I02, spring IIO will be compressed as switch I05 is closed, but upon release the spring will move the collar 52 back to its normal running position, and switch I05 will open. It will also be seen that the jogging switch I05 can be operated with the shipper bar in any of its angular positions.

It will further be seen that the bar I6 is made and.

seen that changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and we do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, but what we claim is:

1. In shipper mechanism for an Axminster loom having a. variable speed driving motor, rotary electric speed control means for the motor, a fixed bearing, a rotary member in the bearing, shipper means operatively connected to the member to rotate the same, a bar operatively connected to said speed control means and extending into the rotary member, and bar moving means on said rotary member having a slot therein larger than the bar and through which the latter extends, said bar moving means transmitting a rotary force from the rotary member to the bar to cause rotationthereof and of said speed control means.

2. In shipper control means for an Axminster loom operated by a variable speed motor, rotary electric speed control means for the motor, a bar connected to and turning with said means. a timed bearing, a hollow member rotatable in said hearing, a bar turnlng plate extending ocross sold hollow member and having therein o slot larger mm the cross sectional the Poor and thmugh finish the latter extends, rotation of said hollow ii'iember causing rotafilon oil-lino plots and bar to eflcct angular movement of the speed control means, and rotatable shipper means to moose 5am hollow member. 3. In shipper contool moon-cs for as miminstcr loom operated by a vorlebls soccd motor, rot-cry lcctrlo speed control moods fox: the mosor, a oor connected to and taming with sold moons, o fixed bearing, a hollow mcmoex moose-ole in sold bear ins, as bar turning plate extending across sold liollow member and oovlng therein a slot larger than the cross section of the low throws" wl lch one looser extends, rotation of sold hollow ifiember causing xototlon of she plastic and look to ell-mi: angular movement of the socsd control means, and adjusting means holding one plate to the hollow member for odjilslmoyliw trons verscly of sold slot.

4. shipper control mechanism for on Ammo star loom did-van by s. soocol motor, rctaw eiectxlc speed means for the motor caving o slob slams, shipper moons rot-oi) ably mounted on. the loom, om cperalively conmooted near one end shoseol so lilac shipzser means and turning therewith, a on the other cod o: the Zoo: held to the shall, and means pse-= vcii'llng longitudinal mot comm; of the loos with sospeci: to said speed coolsol 5. In shipper mechanism. Avmlostor loom opers lil with a variable motor, electric mo speed conlrolmeans foo the motor includ= ing a. stuo slzozt, bazhaving a, limb on om cod theses! SECUSEG to the stub mafia, means preventllibsubstamtlal longllusfinal movement of one box: and hub in odlrccllon parallel to the stub shaft, singularly movable shipper means on the loom, and connections between. sold shipgaer moons and the ethos endoi the so; to cause occasion of the bar when the shipper moons moves allow larly lo efieoo angular movement of the weed control means.

8. In sl mechanism ior an msminsier loom operating with a variable speed motor, electric rotary speed oomizol for the motor includlog a slob sl'zafo, o loo:- ovlog a hill on one end thereof secured to mes-ms proveniz= mg substantial longitudinal movement of the bar end hub in a direction parallel to the stub shalt. ongularly movable shipper means on the loom. and connections between said shipper means and the other end of the bar including o, slotted membe: receiving the bar turning with shipper means.

7. In shipper control means for on Axmlnster loom having a variable speed for driving tho motor, rotary electric speed control moons for the motor including the stub shaft, a, bar having o hub on one end thereof surrounding and secured to lhc stub shaft, o flange on said hub, stctiomry moons engaging said flange to prevent subsmntlal loogb tudinol movement of the bar in the direction oi the length of the stub shaft, onguloslv movable shipper means on the loom, and connection be tween the shipper means and tho other end oi said has causing the latter to tum when mo slalo per moons moves ongularlv to eficci; rotary movemom; of sold speed control means.

8. In shipper control means for on llzlmlnstcr loom driven by a variable speed zilotor, electric speed control means for the motor, a box connected to said speed control means one; ism-11mg therewith, a bearing held in fixed posltlon on the loom, a, rotary member in the loco-moo, moons on the member causing angular movement oi the bar when the member moves Ell'lglli llllll, so stop on said rotary member, and o stop TGUSS so engage said stop held against angular movement volctively to the bearing.

9. in shipper control means for on Azmlnster loom driven by a variable speed motor, vol/cry electric speed control means for as motor, as connected to and turning with said speed control means, a longitudinally movable member held against rotation, a stop boss moving with sold member, a sleeve rotatable within sold member and moving longitudinally with sold momma", means moving wlth the sleeve causing rotation oi the bar when the sleeve rotates, a stop) on sold sleeve to engage the stop boss, and loom shipper means movable longitudinally to wuss lo" Eudlnal movement of both the member a L ollfl sleeve and movable ongularlv to cause lrolocy 'movemeni; of the sleeve to cause engagement of No references cltsd. 

